The Effects of Lavender Aromatherapy on Stress, Concentration, and Academic Performance in Adolescents
This pilot study investigated the effects of lavender aromatherapy on perceived stress, concentration, and academic performance among adolescents during academic tasks. Using a within-subject experimental design, ten secondary school students completed problem-solving tasks under two conditions: lavender scent exposure and a no-scent control condition. Perceived stress and concentration were measured through self-report scales, and academic performance was assessed by task accuracy. The results indicated that lavender exposure was associated with increased concentration and improved academic performance compared to the no-scent condition. However, changes in perceived stress were minimal. Although statistical significance was limited due to the small sample size, effect size estimates suggested meaningful cognitive benefits of short-term lavender exposure. These findings imply that aromatherapy may serve as a low-cost, non-invasive intervention to enhance cognitive engagement in educational settings. Further research with larger samples, longer exposure periods, and objective physiological stress measures is recommended.
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